LORD SNOOTY PUT IN HIS PLACE

He failed to shine as The Red Devils edged through to the fourth round of the Carling Cup after extra time, and Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted he was disappointed with the performance.

The versatile 22-year-old will now have to work his way back into Ferguson's favour with some better displays for United's second string, along with midfielder David Jones, who was also off colour against Crewe.

Ferguson said:

“We definitely hoped for better performances. Not just from one or two players, but from the whole of the team.

“I think David Jones and Kieran Richardson will both be spending some time in the reserves.”

Meanwhile. Snooty mustn't have got the message, from the MEN:

United's dressing room could not help chuckling when they were sent to Southend for their next Carling Cup mission - but Kieran Richardson insists the holders will have their serious heads on when they visit Roots Hall in a fortnight.

“We had a laugh about the draw because it could hardly have been any further away but we will be treating Southend very seriously and we know they will be out to make it really hard for us.

“It will be like a Cup Final for them, as it is for most clubs when they play Manchester United. But we have to match them and hopefully get the win.

“We had a lot of chances, me in particular, but we didn't take them. It was disappointing not to get the win in 90 minutes but at least we got the win in the end, which is the most important thing.

“As one of the more experienced players in the team, you have to try and lead by example but I thought the young lads did well.”

Southend are getting giddy already, from the Sun:

Southend manager Steve Tilson said, “It's an amazing achievement to be at a club for 20 years and any young manager would just love to be half as successful as Sir Alex has been.

“I can remember exactly what I was doing 20 years ago, I was underneath someone's house doing underpinning. I played for Witham Town and didn't turn pro until I joined Southend at the age of 22.

“I met Sir Alex briefly at the LMA awards dinner at the end of last season and he congratulated me on our promotion to the Championship last season.

“This is an amazing draw for the club. I've got to say that we are more concerned about our league form because we've had a bad run but there is going to be such a buzz here for the next two weeks.

“I never played against Man United so this will be a great thrill for me as well as the players. We just hope the match will be live on Sky. That would be a great financial boost for us.”